Chapter 3:

(Onyx POV)

Everyone quickly dispersed after the prank but, I could not see Princess Hermione anywhere. As the bell rang I became worried, she was never one to be late. I had planned on asking to escort her to class. I figured that she must have already went into the building and I just missed her but, I was mistaken. I took one last look around and saw her with Skyler, fixing his tie and smiling before they entered the building together. What had they been doing? Where had they gone? Whatever it was I was going to find out. Skyler was already taking so much from me I couldn't risk losing anything else.

(Skyler POV)

Princess Hermione guided me towards my class and it was nice to finally have a friend in this place. Jane was a good ally, but she already had her friends and even if she tried to look out for me, it would still be different. There was something else about Princess Hermione, I couldn't quite place it but, something in me knew that being friends with her wouldn't cause me to forget my old life, if anything she reminded me of it more than I could possibly explain.

The day quickly came to an end and I saw the pair of Enchancian royals waiting for me by the carriage. It was strange how different I was from the two of them I mused to myself. We all rode back to the castle and I just wanted to spend the rest of the day quietly out in the garden. I didn't want to be near any maids, butlers, princes, princesses or really anyone else in the castle. I found a spot in the back garden and sat down, pulling out one of the books Hermione recommended for me. It was pleasantly quiet for a while until I saw a shadow cast over me.

I looked up and saw Onyx staring down at me, "We need to talk." I closed the book and stood up now being eye level with him. I refused to let him intimidate me. "Yes, Prince Onyx," I start wondering what on earth he has to say to me now. "Stay away from Princess Hermione." I was taken aback by the demand. "Excuse me," I looked up at him but, he stood with his arms crossed, "You heard me." I came closer to him, "I beg your pardon but, where do you get the nerve to believe you have the right to make such a demand from me. I left you alone, I didn't approach you or any of your friends for good measure, yet you still went out of your way to humiliate me." He just stood still, "She is too good for you. Stay away." He turned and walked away, not arguing, not listening, not doing anything just leaving me with that demand.

I knew then that I had a choice to make and that if I continued to spend time with Princess Hermione, I would be declaring war on my step-brother, which I quickly realized I didn't have much of a problem with. However, if I was at war with him I would be dragging Hermione, Jane, Dad and Queen Rosella into the middle of this and I didn't want to make anyone feel like that. I ran my hands through my hair trying to think about life being less complicated but, that was not coming as easy as I remember. I went back into the castle to try and find Dad. I needed his advice.

I walked through the halls and found my way to his chambers where he was talking with Queen Rosella. I went to knock but felt my hand stop right before making contact with the door. I turned back changing my mind and I bumped into a table along the wall and quickly caught a vase before it fell. I heard the door open and turned back to see Dad and the Queen in the doorway. "Skye," Dad started as I placed down the vase, "Do you want to talk?" I nodded my head, "Yeah Dad." He turned towards the Queen who nodded her head and further opened the door before stepping out, "I will give you both some time."

(Onyx POV)

I made my way back into the castle hoping that my point had been made clear when I saw Jane waiting for me, "When I asked you to try, I didn't mean to try and have him killed." She said walking alongside me as I made my way past her and into the castle, "No one has ever died from the Enchanted Swing Set, at most he might have broken his leg and even that is a stretch." I quickly retorted thinking that it was a sound enough point. Jane however pulled on my arm and turned me to face her, "Why did you do it?"

"It's tradition," I waved off the question but, she shook her head, "I know it is but, anyone could have led Skyler to the swing set. Why was it you?" I just shrugged and played it off like I had no reason. I knew my reasons, I was fairly certain that Skyler knew them now as well, Jane didn't need to know. She didn't need to be in the middle playing referee. "I don't know, it was something I had to do," This wasn't a good enough answer for her. I knew that. So I was relieved when I saw Mom making her way down the Hall, "Mom." I said loud enough to catch Mom's attention and make it clear to Jane that we were done talking about this, at least for now.

"Onyx, Jane how was school?" Mom asked smiling. I returned the smile, "It was fine, same old, same old." Mom didn't need to know everything that was going on and I hoped Jane would agree, "Yeah it was fine. Nothing major to report." Mom smiled at both of us, "That is great. How was Skyler? Did people give him too hard a time?" Before I could answer, Jane couldn't help herself, "He got the Enchanted Swing Set, but other than that he didn't appear to have any issues." Mom frowned, "I don't understand why that swing set is still there. Everyone that knows of it, knows what it is used for and it is not fair to the new students that they still must go through this every year." She was shaking her head and I felt pain in the pit of my stomach. If she knew I was the one that sent him there... I shuddered at the thought. Mom shook off the feeling and smiled again, "Nevertheless I am glad he is doing well and that I have two wonderful children there to help welcome him."

Guilt. It was washing further over me but, still I knew I was doing the right thing. I had to be. "Where is Skyler?" Jane asked and I suddenly felt a lot more invested in the conversation than before. "He is talking with his Dad. They both needed to talk. I imagine he will tell him all about his first day but, if like you said it was only the pond I'm sure everything is going to be fine." I felt a lump in my throat form. If Skyler knew what was good for him, he would not snitch on me but, I didn't really know him did I.

(Skyler POV)

Dad guided me to a bench where we both sat down. "So what is on your mind Skyler?" I shrugged as all things I had wanted to say left my mind. "Skye, are you alright?" "I don't know," I breathed out before looking back at him, "I really don't know."

He sighed, "I know that everything is changing right now..." but I shook my head. "No Dad you don't. You choose for all of this to happen, I didn't. You got married, you got a new family, you got a new life and I just got dragged along for the ride. And now the only friend I have made since all of these changes... if I remain her friend I am risking causing more trouble with this new brother you have stuck me with and all I keep thinking is that if I let myself enjoy this even for a moment I feel like I am betraying Mom and I can't do that. All I want is for her to come home from that stupid boat, wrap her arms around me and take me home but that is never going to happen. Now I'm losing you too, to this new life and new family. Worst of all I'm terrified that I am changing and that I am forgetting and that I am abandoning Mom or betraying her by letting her go and letting your new family in."

Dad wrapped an arm around me and held onto me, "I will never forget your Mother or our old life or any of it. I'm sorry that this has been so hard on you but I am here for whatever you need and if this friend means as much to you as you say it does then I will support you and help you in whatever way I can. I'm sorry I didn't see how hard this was on you. I'm so sorry Skye."

"Skye..."

"Skye..."

"Skye..."

I was brought back to reality. "You spaced out there for a minute. What's going on? What happened today?" I realized I couldn't tell her any of that. He was finally happy after all we had been through. All those sleepless nights where he was terrified about not being able to provide for us. All those back breaking days working two other jobs while running the cobbler shop to pay for food, clothes and countless other things for me. This was his turn to be happy.

"It was nothing, just some stuck up royals thought they could push me around by dunking me in a pond and ordered me not to be friends with the only friend I made today" I said looking straight ahead. Dad smirked, "Well promise me one thing about this prince." "What?" "Don't go looking for a fight but, if you find yourself in the middle of one, don't go down without a fight. If it is really important to you fight for it." I nodded my head. "Now, how is preparations for that Ball going?" I closed my eyes and leaned back as Dad started laughing, "That bad, huh?" "Why do I even need to have a Ball? I can't even dance," Dad kept laughing and I started laughing, "Seriously why am I the one between the two of us subjected to public humiliation?"